Analysis of the Proposed Ghana Broadband Strategy (eBook)

Table of Contents 7
List of Tables 9
List of Figures 10
Chapter 1 Introduction 11
1.1 Introduction: 11
1.2 Problem definition: 13
1.3 Objectives of study: 14
1.4 Methodology: 15
1.5 Motivation: 15
1.6 Relevance of study 15
1.7 Organization of the study 15
Chapter 2 Literature Review 18
2.1 Definitions of broadband 15
2.2 Policy and Market 19
2.2.1 What should be regulated? 19
2.2.2 Why regulate? 20
2.2.3 Role of regulation 22
2.2.4 Market 23
2.2.5 Relationship between Policy and Market 25
2.3 Approaches towards Universal Access and Service 25
2.3.1 Conclusion 31
Chapter 3 Methodology 32
3.1 Introduction 32
3.2 Research Methodology 32
3.3 Justification for use of method 34
3.4 Limitation for choice of methodology 35
3.5 Data Collection Methods 36
3.5.1 Documentary Reviews 36
3.5.2 Review of Ghana’s Telecommunication Infrastructure 37
3.5.3 Consultative meetings and in-depth key informant interviews 37
Chapter 4 SWOT Analysis of Broadband Development in Ghana. 38
4.1 Introduction 35
4.2 Overview of Broadband Development in Ghana 38
4.2.1 Infrastructure Development: 38
4.2.2 The Advent of GSM 41
4.2.3 Market Liberalization 42
4.2.4 Competition 43
4.3 Broadband Technologies Available in Ghana 44
4.3.1 Mobile Broadband Technologies in Ghana 44
4.3.2 Fixed Broadband 45
4.3.3 Broadband from Internet Service Providers 45
4.4 Level of Broadband Penetration in Ghana 45
4.4.1 Current Level of Telecommunication Penetration in Ghana 46
4.4.2 Broadband Penetration 48
4.5 SWOT Analysis 49
4.5.1 Strengths of Broadband Development in Ghana 49
4.5.2 Weaknesses of Broadband Development in Ghana 51
4.5.3 Opportunities of Broadband Development Ghana 55
4.5.4 Threats of Broadband Development in Ghana 58
Chapter 5 Policy Components Of The Ghana Broadband Strategy 60
5.1 Introduction 60
5.1.1 Facilitation Policy: 60
5.1.2 Regulation Policy: 64
5.1.3 Market Interventions: 65
5.2 Facilitation/Promotional Policy of the Ghana Broadband Strategy 66
5.3 Regulatory Policies of the Ghana Broadband Strategy 67
5.4 Market Intervention Policies of the Ghana Broadband Strategy 68
Chapter 6 Overview of Broadband Policies in Other Countries 71
6.1 Introduction 68
6.2 Australia’s National Broadband Strategy 72
6.2.1 National Broadband Strategy 72
6.2.2 Broadband Action Plan 73
6.2.2.1 National Broadband Strategy Implementation Group (NBSIG) 73
6.2.2.2 Broadband Penetration 74
6.2.2.3 Australia Broadband Development 75
6.3 Finland’s National Broadband Strategy 76
6.3.1 National Broadband Strategy 76
6.3.2 The Broadband Action Plan 77
6.3.2.1 Pricing 79
6.3.2.2 Information Security and Privacy Protection 79
6.3.2.3 Positive notes/points of Finland’s Broadband Strategy and Implementation Plan 80
6.4 India’s National Broadband Strategy 81
6.4.1 The National Broadband Strategy 81
6.4.2 Implementation of the Broadband Policy 83
6.5 Pakistan’s National Broadband Strategy 84
6.5.1 The Broadband Strategy 84
6.5.2 Broadband Action Plan 87
6.5.2.1 Increasing the DSL user base 87
6.5.2.2 Spread of Low Cost Unlicensed Wireless Technologies 87
6.5.2.3 Enabling of New Technologies 87
6.5.3 Analysis and Implementation of the Broadband Policy 87
Chapter 7 - Descriptive Analysis of the Ghana Broadband Strategy 90
7.1 Introduction 90
7.2 Description of the Ghana Broadband Strategy 90
7.2.1 Definition of Broadband in the Ghana broadband Strategy 91
7.2.2 Broadband Technologies Identified in the Ghana Broadband Strategy: 91
7.2.3 Broadband Services Identified In The Ghana Broadband Strategy 92
7.2.4 Technology Options For Broadband Considered In The Ghana Broadband Strategy 93
7.2.5 Current Broadband Connectivity In Ghana Considered In The Ghana Broadband Strategy 96
7.2.6 Estimated Growth of Broadband Subscribers Proposed In the Ghana Broadband Strategy 97
7.2.7 Proposed Quality of Service Parameters 98
7.2.8 Bandwidth issues 99
7.2.9 The role of National Communications Authority in regulation of policy 100
7.2.1.0 Fiscal Issues: 102
7.3 Stakeholder Analysis 102
7.3.1 Convening Stakeholders (GhanaConnect) 103
7.3.2 Invited stakeholders who contributed to the draft 105
7.3.3 Proposed action plan by the stakeholders 107
7.3.4 Broadband Advantage to the stakeholders 111
Chapter 8 Assessment of Ghana’s Universal Access Policy 113
8.1 Introduction 111
8.2 Rationale behind Universal Service 113
8.3 Ghana’s Universal Access and Service Policy 115
8.3.1 Policy Implementation Measures 116
8.3.2 Project Monitoring and Evaluation 117
8.3.3 Management of GIFTEL 117
8.4 Assessment of Ghana’s Universal Access and Service Fund 117
8.4.1 Achievements of GIFEC 119
8.4.2 Challenges facing GIFEC 121
8.4.3 Future Plans of GIFEC 122
8.5 Assessment of Ghana’s Telecenter initiatives 122
8.6 NCA and the Universal Access Obligation 123
8.7 The effect of the Ghana Telecommunication Policies and the Ghanaian Telecommunication Market 124
Chapter 9 Conclusion 129
9.1 Introduction 127
9.1.1 Achievements of the Ghana Broadband strategy 129
9.1.2 Problems with the Ghana Broadband Strategy 132
9.2 Assessments: 133
9.2.1 Assessment on the GhanaConnect Stakeholders’ Efforts: 133
9.2.2 Assessment on Government Effort 135
9.2.3 Assessment on NCA 137
9.3 Suggested Technology Step to Universal Access 138
9.3.1 WiMAX for Rural Areas 139
9.4 Conclusions 140
Glossary 142
References 147
Appendix Appendix 1: Problem definition 153